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Friday, August 12, 2011

Thinking on Mandela: Why is Reconciliation So Important?

Maimonides:

"the day of atonement does not expiate any transgressions, but those that are between a man and God,...  but transgressions which are between a man and his neighbor, as he that hurts his neighbor, or curses his neighbor, or steals from him, and the like, are never forgiven, until he has given his neighbor what he owed him, and has "reconciled" him; yea, though he has returned to him the money he owed him, he ought to "reconcile" him, and desire him to forgive him; yea, even though "he has only provoked him by words", (which is the very case in the text before us), "he ought to reconcile him", and to meet him until he forgives him: if his neighbor will not forgive, he must bring with him three of his friends, and meet him, and entreat him; and if he will not be reconciled by them, he must bring them a second, and a third time.''

Hilchot Teshuba

Sins against our fellow human beings cannot be forgiven except by asking forgiveness and granting it. If it is not granted, the asking must be documented by witnesses a number of times.

What have we not asked to be forgiven for?
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